FAQs

About the exhibit project

Q: What is the zoo’s “Asian Tropical Forest” Initiative?A: Asian Tropical Forest (ATF) refers to the zoo’s $21 million initiative—part of its More Wonder MoreWild comprehensive fundraising campaign—to make capital and operational improvements to the zoo’sTropical Asia bioclimatic zone that currently includes tiger and Asian bear exhibits, Elephant Forest andTrail of Vines (orangutan, siamang, tapir). The tiger and Asian bear exhibits within this zone are theprimary areas targeted for capital redevelopment.

Through the Asian Tropical Forest Initiative, the 60-year-old infrastructure that critically endangered tigersand Asian bears currently inhabit at the zoo will be replaced with a new, state-of-the-art tiger and slothbear exhibit complex, known as the Bamboo Forest Reserve. Currently in the design phase, the new exhibit complex will transform an outdated area of the zoo into a dynamic, naturalistic destination connecting more than 1 million zoo visitors each year to the diverse animals of tropical Asia and the work the zoo and its partners do to protect them.

Modeled on the theme “Sharing the Forest: People are the Conservation Solution,” the new exhibitcomplex will empower and inspire visitors with up-close animal encounters, hands-on learning and linksto meaningful conservation actions visitors can take to build a better future for wildlife. Using sustainabledesign, the exhibits will provide tigers, sloth bears and other species representing the biodiversity of theregion with a naturalistic, enriching environment that evokes the lush forests of tropical Asia andencourages natural behaviors in the animals such as stalking prey, foraging for food and caring for young.

Q: Why is the zoo building a new tiger and sloth bear exhibit?

A: Plans to create a new home for tigers and Asian bears at Woodland Park Zoo were identified in thezoo’s Long-Range Physical Development Plan, which was passed unanimously by Seattle City Council inOctober 2004 after an extensive, five-year public involvement process. The new exhibit complex willtransform the 60-year-old, outdated infrastructure into a state-of-the-art, spacious and naturalistic exhibitenvironment. The transformation will improve the exhibit experience for the zoo’s animals, visitors andstaff, and will reduce resource consumption with sustainable design.

Q: What part of the world is depicted in the exhibit?

A: The tiger and sloth bear exhibit complex is modeled after conservation field work stations in the range countries of Malayan tigers and sloth bears. In particular, the exhibits take inspiration from naturallandscapes and human-built structures in Northeast India (part of the sloth bear’s range) and Malaysia (part of the Malayantiger’s range).

Q: How much will the project cost?

A: The zoo is seeking to raise $21.86 million for the Asian Tropical Forest Initiative, part of the zoo’s More Wonder More Wild comprehensive campaign. The project costs include funding for design and construction of the new tiger and sloth bear exhibit complex ($19.6 million), exhibit enhancements in the Elephant Forest ($1.25 million), interpretive enhancements to improve the visitor experience in the Elephant Forest and Trail of Vines exhibits ($560,000), as well as related education and conservation programming ($450,000).

Q: How big will the exhibits be?

A: The new tiger and sloth bear exhibit complex will be built in the same part of the zoo that tigers and Asian bears currently inhabit, replacing the outdated exhibits and building upon the existing footprint of the area with more efficient use of space. The complex will occupy 2 acres in total, making it the largest new zoo exhibit since the opening of Trail of Vines in 1996. The complex includes 9,000 square feet of outdoor exhibit space for tigers as well as additional indoor and outdoor holding spaces—totaling more than twice the current space allotted to tigers at the zoo. Similarly, the space for sloth bears will more than double with the creation of 7,600 square feet of outdoor exhibit space as well as additional indoor and outdoor holding spaces.

Q: Who is designing this exhibit?

A: After a call for qualifications in 2010, Studio Hanson/Roberts was selected to join Woodland Park Zoo as the exhibit designer for this project. Studio Hanson/Roberts recently worked with the zoo to design the Humboldt penguin exhibit, opened in 2009, which won the national top honors Exhibit Award in 2010 from the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. Berschaeur Phillips, a company that also worked on the Humboldt penguin exhibit, won the bid for general contractor in summer 2012.

Q: What makes this exhibit innovative from other exhibits at Woodland Park Zoo or other zoos?

A: Woodland Park Zoo is a recognized pioneer in naturalistic zoo exhibitry. In 1979, the zoo opened the first naturalistic gorilla exhibit in the world, establishing a prototype for immersive exhibits that evoke the natural habitats of wild animals—a model that has shaped the zoo’s many award-winning exhibits including African Savanna, Trail of Vines, Tropical Rain Forest and Northern Trail. The new tiger and sloth bear exhibit complex is the latest example of the evolution of exhibit design, incorporating not only the zoo’s tradition of naturalistic environments but also innovative features such as the ability to show animal training sessions in public, and to make conservation connections for zoo visitors that turn local action into global impact.

Training WallsOne great example of innovation is training walls, which will bring the behind-the-scenes care of these animals into the forefront for zoo visitors. The exhibit design includes specialized training stations wherekeepers will interact one-on-one with tigers and bears. These training presentations will get visitors closerto live predators than at any other exhibit at the zoo, and provide insight into how the zoo safely cares forsuch large and dangerous animals.

EnrichmentSee the natural instincts of these animals kick in when they interact with enrichment opportunitiesthroughout their exhibits. Current concepts in the exhibit design will see tigers stalk “prey” as they chase alure line that runs the length of the exhibit, jostle trees to retrieve snacks, and hunt live fish in a shallowpool. Sloth bears will use their sense of smell and dexterity to retrieve food hidden in digging pits. Theywill eat marrow from bones they break open in a specially designed bone-breaking pit, slurp grubs out oflogs and put their vacuum-like eating style to work at a keeper-assisted feeding demonstration.

Sounds of the ForestTo take immersion to the next level, entering the lush tropical landscape of this exhibit complex will morethan engage your senses of sight and smell, but also will draw you in with the symphonic sounds of theforest. Through state-of-the-art acoustic engineering, visitors will be surrounded by the real sounds offlowing water, wind blowing through bamboo thickets, and even the minutest sounds of the animals—breathing, coughing, purring, licking, eating and deep rumbling.

Conservation HeadquartersWoodland Park Zoo’s commitment to tigers and the diverse Asian forests they represent goes beyond thewalls of the zoo and extends to field work in Asia where the survival of this species hangs in the balance. 3To connect the zoo’s 1.2 million visitors with real opportunities to make a difference in Asia and here athome in the Northwest, Woodland Park Zoo’s new exhibit complex will serve as a conservationheadquarters, bringing to life for zoo visitors how the zoo’s Asian field conservation partners and localcommunities are saving wild animals and habitats. At the exhibit’s Conservation Action Center, visitorscan take actions that make a difference, whether by taking the Tiger Pledge, supporting the zoo’s tigerconservation program or learning about smart consumer choices that protect forest habitat here andaround the globe.

Q: Are there any visitor amenities in the new exhibit complex?

A: Visitors will find benches and rest areas within the exhibit complex, and an interactive filling station fortheir water bottles. The nearest restrooms can be found at the nearby West Entrance.Within the exhibit complex, an interpretive building with a view into an animal exhibit will provideopportunities for educational programs and other public and private functions in a year-round, indoorvenue.

About the animals

Q: Will there be other animals besides tigers and sloth bears in the new exhibits?

A: Yes. Woodland Park Zoo is building a 2-acre exhibit complex that will reflect the biodiversity of the tropical forests of Asia. While the complex will feature a Malayan tiger exhibit and a sloth bear exhibit, within the complex the zoo will also depict the diversity of the region with the addition of Asian small-clawed otters, an aviary (featuring the Malay great argus, collared finch-billed bulbul, red-billed leiothrix and common shama thrush), and snake-necked turtles and invertebrates. Woodland Park Zoo has consulted with its accrediting body, the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, as well as other accredited zoos to identify appropriate species with a high conservation value and Species Survival Plan cooperative breeding/conservation programs in which to participate.

Q: How will this exhibit improve the welfare of the zoo’s animals?

A: The new exhibits are designed not only to provide a spacious, naturalistic home for tigers and slothbears, but also to encourage their natural behaviors and accommodate multiple generations—from birthto old age.

Enrichment opportunities within the exhibits will enable the animals to express the full range of theirindividual capabilities, develop mastery with increasing levels of challenge, and remain fit. Currentconcepts in the exhibit design will see tigers stalk “prey” as they chase a lure line that runs the length ofthe exhibit, jostle trees to retrieve snacks, and hunt live fish in a shallow pool. Sloth bears will use theirsense of smell and dexterity to retrieve food hidden in digging pits. They will eat marrow from bones theybreak open in a specially designed bone-breaking pit, slurp grubs out of logs and put their vacuum-likeeating style to work at a keeper-assisted feeding demonstration.

Q: Are sun bears going to be included in the new exhibit complex?

A: No. Woodland Park Zoo is seeking to deepen its commitment to and involvement in the Association ofZoos & Aquariums Species Survival Plan captive breeding programs for Asian bears. To become a centerfor endangered Asian bear breeding, the zoo needs to use exhibit space more efficiently to allow formultiple generations of bears, and account for the need to separate bears that may not be compatibleoutside of breeding season.

With this need for space, it became apparent that Woodland Park Zoo could not provide such facilities forboth species of Asian bears currently kept at the zoo—sloth bears and sun bears. Therefore, the animalmanagement team at Woodland Park Zoo consulted with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums and otherinstitutions participating in Asian bear Species Survival Plans in order to determine the most appropriatespecies to maintain in the zoo’s collection. Based on an extensive set of criteria including ease of visibilityfor viewers, record of success in breeding, suitability to the exhibit environment, and other factors, the zoodetermined the sloth bear as the best fit to maintain in the new exhibit complex.The zoo will phase out sun bears from its collection, seeking to place the zoo’s current sun bears intoother Association of Zoos & Aquariums-accredited zoos around the country. Sun bears will no longer beon view at Woodland Park Zoo some time in the spring of 2012.

Q: Why is the zoo replacing Sumatran tigers with Malayan tigers in the new exhibit?

A: Woodland Park Zoo worked in consultation with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums and other zoosparticipating in the Species Survival Plan (SSP) breeding program for tigers to determine the mostappropriate tiger species for Woodland Park Zoo to maintain in its collection. The zoo’s current pair ofSumatran tigers is past their reproductive years, and new animals needed to be identified to occupy theexhibit in order to participate in the SSP breeding program. Working with SSP partners, Woodland ParkZoo will be able to identify a breeding pair of Malayan tigers available to move to the zoo at theappropriate time

About construction and opening

Q: When will you break ground on construction?

A: On September 18, 2012, the zoo broke ground on the exhibit complex and proceeded to begin phase one construction. More than 250 zoo supporters from the broader community, including public officials, philanthropic leaders, members, families and school children joined the ceremony.

Q: When will the exhibits open?

A: Because this is a large-scale transformation, the exhibit complex is planned to open in two phases. The zoo is targeting a May 2013 opening for the first phase of the exhibit complex, and anticipates a summer 2014 opening for the second and final phase.

Q: What will the two phases of the exhibit include?

A:

In May 2013, phase one of the exhibit complex will open to the public, featuring a new east-west pathway, Asian small-clawed otters exhibit, and children’s nature-play area. Recently it was decided to include a new tropicalaviary in phase one, instead of phase two. The larger and final phase two of the exhibit is anticipated to open in summer 2014 and will include the remaining components of the planned complex with exhibits for sloth bears, Malayan tigers, reptiles and invertebrates.

About conservation and education

Q: What will people learn through this exhibit?

A: In addition to learning about the fascinating natural history and adaptations of the species represented in the exhibit, visitors will learn how these animals depend on forests to survive, what impact humans have on the forest landscape, and how we can all share the forest. The zoo will be testing specific messages and learning objectives through formative evaluations with zoo visitors and select groups throughout 2012 to shape the most effective educational program for the exhibit.

Q: What is the conservation message of this exhibit?

A: The exhibit is designed around the theme “Sharing the Forest: People are the Conservation Solution.”The exhibit uses engaging techniques to present the urgent conservation issues of habitat degradationand human-wildlife conflict to visitors, and promotes a sense of hope thanks to the conservationsuccesses in the field that will be brought to life within the exhibit. Feeling part of the solution, visitors willtake action inside the exhibit’s Conservation Action Center where they can take a pledge to protectforests here and around the world on which tigers and other wildlife depend. To show how local actionshave global impact, the exhibit will draw parallels between the human-predator conflict with tigers in Asiaand the human-predator conflict with cougars and wolves in North America, and encourage local-mindedactions that will serve as a model for global attitudes.

Q: Is the zoo going to get a new conservation partner in tropical Asia?

A: Woodland Park Zoo currently supports several field conservation projects in tropical Asia, which you can learn more about at www.zoo.org/conservation. As part of the new exhibit effort, in 2012 the zoo established an agreement with Panthera, a global big cat conservancy, to save Malayan tigers and their critical habitats. The collaboration is spearheading a 10-year, $1 million investment in on-the-ground scientific research, training, field work and community capacity building to save endangered Malayan tigers in and around Taman Negara national park in Peninsular Malaysia. The partnership’s day-to-day work and achievements will touch the hearts and minds of Northwest communities through the new exhibit’s Conservation Action Center, where 1 million annual visitors will learn about the work on which scientists, communities and governments are collaborating to save this magnificent tiger.

Q: Are there sustainable design elements incorporated in this exhibit?

A: Woodland Park Zoo designs with the environment in mind. Continuing the innovative filteringtechniques used at the zoo’s award-winning Humboldt penguin exhibit, water features and systems in thenew exhibit complex will be based on the principles of biomimicry by which streams and ponds are filterednaturally through a series of settling ponds and constructed wetlands. These systems are at the forefrontof sustainable design and conservation strategies in the Pacific Northwest, replacing the inefficientpractice of dumping and refilling water features.

With the addition of a Conservation Action Center and an interpretive building for school and privateprograms, the zoo is investigating strategies to mitigate the additional carbon footprint of these buildings,aiming to achieve carbon neutrality over the life of the exhibit. The zoo is also looking to reduce energyconsumption in the current felines building and other holding areas in the exhibit complex by choosingmore efficient lighting and heating strategies.

About raising the resources to build the exhibit complex

Q: How is the zoo funding the new tiger and sloth bear exhibit complex?

A: Woodland Park Zoo is primarily seeking private funding to complete this capital and programmaticinitiative through the zoo’s More Wonder More Wild comprehensive fundraising campaign. Funds forongoing operation of the exhibit will come from the zoo’s annual operating budget, which comprises salesrevenues, membership, donations, grants and public support.

Q: What is More Wonder More Wild?

A: The zoo’s $80 million comprehensive fundraising campaign is known as More Wonder More Wild. More Wonder More Wild is made up of eight programmatic and capital initiatives that integrate visitor experiences, naturalistic exhibits, animal care, field conservation, educational opportunities, environmental sustainability and technical innovation. The seven-year campaign includes the now complete initiative to build a new Humboldt penguin exhibit and West Entrance, which were opened in 2009 and 2010, respectively, the Asian Tropical Forest initiative to build a new otter, tiger and sloth bear exhibit complex, as well as support for many animal care, education, conservation, and sustainability initiatives.

Q: What’s included in the $21.86 million fundraising initiative for Asian Tropical Forest?

A: The zoo is seeking to raise $21.86 million for the Asian Tropical Forest initiative, part of the zoo’s MoreWonder More Wild comprehensive campaign. The project costs include funding for design andconstruction of the new tiger and sloth bear exhibit complex ($19.6 million), exhibit enhancements in theElephant Forest ($1.25 million), interpretive enhancements to improve the visitor experience in theElephant Forest and Trail of Vines exhibits ($560,000), as well as related edducation and conservationprogramming ($450,000)